THE Old Testament Scriptures may be divided into four classes, viz. Pentateuch, History, Hagiography, Prophecy. 1. What books are contained in the Pentateuch, and who is the author? With what account does it commence? Mention the order 2. Write an account of the Fall, and expulsion from Eden. 3. Write an account of the Deluge. In what year of the world 4. Name Noah's three sons.-The founder of the people of Israel.— 5. How many were the family when they migrated to Egypt, and how long did they stay there? Who led them out, and under what cir- A. The passage of the Red Sea. C. The entrance into the Promised Land. 7. Mention some important incidents of the conquest of the country 8. Write a list of the historical books, and state how far they carry on the history of the people. Name the first three kings, and state what calamity then befel the monarchy. Name, also, the last king of Israel and of Judah, and mention the fate of the two peoples. 9. Who chiefly aided in the restoration of the kingdom of Judah? And who took an active part in the return, and is thought to have B 10. What books are contained in the Hagiography, and who are the authors of them? Upon what internal evidence may the book of Job be considered ancient? 11. Name the four greater prophets and the twelve lesser. 12. Who wrote before the Captivity, during it, and after the return? 13. Explain "Apocrypha," and name some of the books contained in it. What part of the Jewish history is comprised in the “Books of the Maccabees" "? B. 14. The Books of the New Testament may be divided into three classes: what are they? 15. Who wrote the Gospels? Upon what grounds may St. Matthew's Gospel be considered as written especially for Jews, and St. Luke's for Gentiles? Why may St. John's Gospel be considered supplementary to the others? 16. Give instances of points of difference in the Gospels, showing that they are independent histories. 17. What book forms the second part of the New Testament Scriptures? Who wrote it? 18. What is the meaning of "Epistle"? Write a list of the Epistles with their authors. 19. Explain "Jesus," "Christ," "gospel," "evangelist," "revelation," "disciple," "apostle," "presbyter," "deacon.” See Wheeler's Analysis of the Old Testament History. 2. THE HOLY LAND. 1. How is the Holy Land bounded on the west, north, and south? What river bounds the Holy Land proper on the east? Describe the course of this river from its source to its mouth, and state how the lake it forms is named in the Old Testament. 2. Mention interesting circumstances which invest this river and its lake with peculiar interest. 3. Give a short account of the destruction of the Cities of the Plain, and the preservation of Lot. 4. What tribes settled on the eastern bank of the Jordan, and what nations bordered upon them? What nation also, after the occupation of the Holy Land by the Israelites, retained their settlements in the south-west? Name their cities, and relate a circumstance which once occurred at one of them. 5. When is the first mention made in the Bible of the Holy Land and by what other names is it known? 6. When the Israelites crossed the Jordan, who occupied the country; and what is said about the inhabitants? 7. How did the Israelites divide the country; and how was it divided in the time of Christ? ; 8. Name the capital city. When did this become the capital? Describe its position, construction, &c. 9. In this city was a famous building,-who erected it? Give a short history of this building, and of the city, till the final destruction of both. 10. Name other cities which flourished in early times; also, those of importance in the time of Christ. 11. What mountain chain is in the north of the country, and what mountain stretches out into the sea in a lofty promontory? What river flows at its base? Name two events which render this mountain and river famous. 12. Name streams which flow into the sea; also affluents of the Jordan. 13. Where is the district called the "hill country," and what occurred there? 14. Where are Tabor and Hermon, Ebal and Gerizim? What temple stood on Gerizim? What is the seaport of Jerusalem ? 3. PROPHECY AND ITS FULFILMENT. 1. When our first parents fell, there was given to Adam a promise of restoration, the first prophecy of a Saviour,-quote it. 2. It is next more clearly promised that the Saviour shall be born of a peculiar nation,-who is the founder of the nation to whom the promise is given? Quote the prophecy. 3. To the grandson of the founder, when on his death-bed, a still clearer promise is given,-quote it. 4. Next, the Saviour is to be born of a particular family of a tribe,— what is the tribe, and who is the most illustrious person of the family? Quote the prophecies. 5. The person of whom the Saviour should be born is plainly prophesied,-quote this prophecy from Isaiah, and explain the word. "Emmanuel." 6. The time when, and the place where, our Saviour should be born, are prophesied by Daniel and Micah ;-quote the words of the prophecies. 7. Give an account of our Lord's parentage and early history, showing that each of these prophecies was exactly fulfilled. 8. To what peril was the infant Jesus exposed, and how was it avoided? Where did Joseph and Mary settle? Show that these three events are the subjects of prophecy. 9. The Saviour held an obscure condition in life, and spent his life in preaching to the poor, healing the sick, &c.;-quote prophecies for this. 10. He entered Jerusalem under peculiar circumstances,—show that this is a subject for prophecy. 11. Quote the prophecies which relate to the betrayal of our Lord, from David and Zechariah. 12. Quote those which relate to the trial and sufferings. 18. Show how these prophecies were fulfilled from the recorded events of our blessed Lord's death and resurrection. 19. Quote the prophecies relating to John the Baptist, and show how they were fulfilled. 20. Certain persons in the Bible are considered as types of the Saviour, as Adam, Isaac, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Melchizedeck, Aaron, David, Solomon,-show why they may be considered so. 21. Things typical of the Messiah are Noah's ark, the smitten rock, the brazen serpent, the Paschal lamb, the sacrifices, the scapegoat;— show in what respect they are so. See Wheeler's Analysis and Summary of the Old Testament History. 4. CHRIST. 1. Where was Christ born? Who was his mother? Who was king of the Jews? And who emperor of Rome? How came Joseph and Mary at Bethlehem? 2. To whom was the event signified by a star? Can you account for their so readily thinking of the birth of a Saviour? What Roman poet alludes to the prevalent anticipation? What is meant by the East? 3. Was the event signified to any besides? How? 4. What was Herod's first endeavour with reference to the infant Jesus, and how was his purpose frustrated? Where did Joseph and Mary finally settle? 5. Mention a remarkable circumstance which occurred in Christ's boyhood. 6. At what age did our Lord commence his ministry? For what purpose did He visit John the Baptist ? 7. Write an account of the temptation. 8. With what public act did our Lord commence his ministration at Jerusalem? What and where was his first miracle? 9. What leading man among the Jews secretly visited Him at this time? Give some particulars of the conversations. his 10. In what part of the country did He pass most of his time? On way there, what interesting circumstance occurred at Jacob's well, in Samaria? 11. What town on the lake of Gennesaret was the scene of many mighty works? Name miracles at this town, on the lake, and elsewhere in Galilee. 12. Mention the most remarkable of the parables. At what part of our Lord's earthly mission did He commence teaching by parables? 13. Write out, as literally as possible, the following parables :A. The Ten Virgins. B. The Prodigal Son. C. The Rich Man and Lazarus. 14. From what direction did He approach Jerusalem for the last time? Describe his entry. What great festival of the Jews was then approaching? 15. What very emphatic parables were spoken in the Holy Week? 16. Name two or more important miracles of our Lord, with the time, place, and circumstances of his working them. 17. Write a short account of the "Last Supper," and of the "Agony in the Garden." 18. Write a short account of the betrayal, and of the conduct of St. Peter. 19. Write a short account of our Lord's trial. |